CHICAGO
BENTO BOX, KELSAY BOOKS 2020
Assumption on Illinois
pawning off poinsettias till January
Give ‘em a home
So you press the
toxic wilting plant
against your chest
keep it alive
so it can see its shadow
on Groundhog Day
The thermostat:
passive chess for
one degree more—
let me win
I don’t live here anymore
Smoggy tailpipes protesting
the poll tax to the Ferryman
the Hillside strangler
holds the keys to set you
free
Just like
Kennedy, Ike, and Dan Ryan
trying to teach you to slow down
forehead against cold glass
looking for the hideouts
you used to call home.